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Singapore to seek payment from ship owner for oil spill, media reports state

Singapore will seek payment for the costs sustained in an oil spill recently from the owners of the stationary vessel that released the oil, local media CNA reported on Thursday.

The Maritime and Port Authority informed CNA that the shipowner of Singapore-flagged Marine Honour - which was struck by Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima - is liable for costs incurred in containing and cleaning up the oil spill and damage to infrastructure.

has connected to the port authority for comment.

Previously, the port authority said the dredger Vox Maxima had experienced an unexpected loss in engine and guiding control before it struck Marine Honour at Pasir Panjang Terminal.

This triggered one of the vessel's oil cargo tanks to rupture and spill fuel oil into the sea. The oil was reached beaches and parks around Singapore and likewise to the island of Sentosa.

The event stimulated an intense clean-up effort across Singapore with employees laying out 3,400 metres of booms and oil healing operations at sea that count on predictive modelling of tidal and wind conditions, and drone and satellite images.

Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said on Facebook the port authority had actually rapidly guaranteed there were no additional leaks from the vessel and sprayed dispersant to treat the spilled oil last Friday when the mishap took place. Chee included that the incident was not due to port blockage.

The ship owners of Marine Honour and Vox Maxima could not be right away reached for remark.

(source: Reuters)